Headrest



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HEAD REST Filed Aug. 4, 1940 INVENTORS HenryAJfiziser; LeoKaiser BY and GeorgeEShepard,

ATTORNEYS axis.

on the radius of a circle, so that the arms can 80 Patented May 26, 1942 OFFICE HEADREST Henry Arnold Kaiser and Leo Kaiser, Ronan, and

- George R. Shepard, Missoula, Mont.

Application August 4, 1940, Serial No. 351,296 2 Claims. (01. 155-175) This invention relates to head rests of the type intended to promote the comfort of passengers on trains, buses and other vehicles, though it is to be understood that the device can be used for other purposes' such as insuring proper breathing during sleep.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a device of the foregoing type which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and exceedingly easy to apply, which will automatically adjust itself to the individual requirements of the user and to the particular circumstances of its use, and which will not cause any discomfort to the user or unduly interfere with his freedom of movement.

In its broadest aspects, the device of the invention consists of a blank of resilient or elastic self-sustaining material of substantially elliptical annular form, said blank being adapted to be bent about its minor axis so as to fit resiliently and snugly in the angle between the chest and chin of a person.

In its preferred embodiment, the device is provided with means to secure the head rest against unintentional displacement. Said means may consist of two arms formed integrally with the blank and extending inwardly from the inner periphery of the blank near its minor Said arms may advantageously be cut be readily sprung apart and applied about the neck of the wearer without causing him any discomfort.

Referring briefly to the drawing, wherein is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the inven- 85 tion, v V

Figure 1 is a plan view of the device when not in actual use; and

Figure 2 is a side view of the device, showing its manner of operation, the lower portion of the 4 wearers head and adjacent parts of his body being indicated generally by short dash lines.

Referring to the drawing in greater detail and particularly to Figure 1 thereof, it willbe noted that the device consists essentially of'a blank I of substantially elliptical annular form. The outer periphery of the blank is indicated by the numeral 2 and the inner periphery by 3. The minor axis of the blank is indicated by the short dash lines 4, and divides the blank into the two portions 5 and 6.

The blank is made from a flat sheet of resilient or elastic self-sustaining material such as pregnated with natural or synthetic rubber or with a synthetic resin.

As thus far described, the blank is adapted to be bent about its minor axis and placed in the angle between the chin and the upper portion of persons neck. As thus positioned, the lower part 6 of the device rests upon the upper part of the chest and the upper part 5 presses upwardly against the chin and keeps the head erect.

The preferred embodiment is provided, as has been stated, with means to prevent the device from being unintentionally displaced from about the wearers neck. The means consist of two arms I and 8 formed integrally with the blank I and extending inwardly from the inner periphery 3 of the blank. The two arms may advantageously be in the form of segments of a circle extending from the intersections of the minor axis with the inner periphery of the blank.

The device may be cut, stamped or punched from suitable stock material of the kind previously described.

In Figure 2 of the drawing, we have shown the device in proper position about a wearers neck so as not to be accidentally displaced. It will be noted that the upper portion 5 presses against the lower jaw bone, that the lower portion 6 rests on the chest, and the two segmental arms I and 8 fit yieldably about the neck of the wearer. The fact that the device is of resilient material renders it a simple matter to place the device in position. The two arms encircle the neck and keep the device in position without causing the wearer any discomfort.

To apply the device of the invention to its intended purpose, it is merely necessary to bend the device in two about its minor axis, spread the arms 1 and 8 apart and fit the device about the neck of the person. Either the portion 5 or 6 of the device may be placed uppermost.

It follows from the foregoing description that the device need not be made in more than one size. Because of its construction, the device automatically adjusts itself to the wearers inj dividual requirements, and can be worn by persons of different statures without any discomfort or loss of freedom of movement,

The foregoing description embodies the essential and distinctive thought which characterizes our invention. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosure is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and that no limrubber, natural, or synthetic, or of fabric imitations are to be imported which are not reand chest of the user, and the two arms being.

adapted to be passed around and to the rear of the neck.

2. A head rest consisting of a blank of resilient self-sustaining material of substantially elliptical annular form, said blank being adapted to be bent about its minor axis, the bent portions being adapted to be interposed between the chin and chest of the user, said blank being provided with means to prevent unintentionable displacement of the head rest'when inuse.

HENRY ARNOLD KAISER. LEO KAISER. GEORGE R. SHEPARD. 

